by Lauren Deal, Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations
Several members of the Mount de Sales Academy community recently gathered to celebrate the opening of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, a space dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression among young artists. This remarkable achievement was made possible by several members of our Cavalier family, including alumni Karla Redding-Andrews (’80), Justin Andrews (2006), and Kimberly Epps (2002), whose contributions helped bring this vision to life. DK Williams (2021) welcomed the crowd at the start, sharing his love and passion for this center as one of the primary educators for their music camps.
The ceremony began with a heartfelt prayer led by Reverend Jake Hall, a current MDS parent. He reminded us of the significance of this moment, marking the end of silence in this space and the beginning of a vibrant, artistic future for its students. The event was not just about celebrating a new facility but also about honoring the legacy of Otis Redding and his commitment to uplifting young musicians.
Mount de Sales Academy has a long-standing partnership with the Otis Redding Foundation, hosting students for several years through the Otis Redding Camp and Camp DREAM. These programs, held in the David J. Zuver Center for Performing Arts, have filled the halls of MDS with music each summer. Within just one week, students would create and perform original pieces, an incredible testament to their talent and dedication.
Reflecting on this partnership, Kimberly Epps shared her experience of how Mount de Sales has played a pivotal role in collaborating with the Otis Redding Foundation. She expressed, “We have been incredibly fortunate to forge meaningful partnerships with community supporters like Mount de Sales, whose generosity has allowed us to host our programs within their welcoming spaces. Mount de Sales has been an invaluable partner, serving as the location for several of our early Otis Music Camps, and more recently, for both Otis Music Camp and Camp DREAM in the Zuver building. Over the years, we have had the privilege of holding seven or eight of our summer camps on the beautiful grounds of MDS. The staff and faculty have consistently shown us kindness and support, graciously allowing us to take over their classrooms, filled with the energy and excitement of our eager students. The success we’ve achieved would not have been possible without the unwavering support from the MDS community. We are deeply grateful and look forward to continuing our collaboration, offering more enriching programs that will complement and enhance the remarkable work being done by MDS’s fine arts teachers.”
Karla Redding-Andrews emphasized the transformative power of the arts, stating, “This space opens up worlds of knowledge and self-confidence for these children.” She also paid tribute to Zelma Redding, Otis’s wife, saying, “A strong woman made Otis amazing. There would be no Otis without Zelma.” And she showed her gratitude to the people of Macon, stating this center was for the community.
As part of the opening celebration, 36 students from Roberts Academy were welcomed to explore the new space and engage in upcoming programs. As a valued partner of Mount de Sales Academy, Roberts Academy shares a dedication to fostering creativity and personal growth in students. Including these young learners in the celebration underscores the Center’s mission to nurture and inspire the next generation of artists. The future is bright as we plan our work together, and we will be in close collaboration as we continue to offer memorable and meaningful experiences for the Cavaliers, right here in downtown Macon.
The Otis Redding Center for the Arts is more than just a building—it is a beacon of artistic opportunity and community collaboration. With the support of dedicated alumni, faculty, and partners, this space will continue to inspire young musicians and performers for years to come. We look forward to witnessing the incredible impact it will have on students as they discover their voices and develop their talents in this new creative home. And we’re grateful to the courageous Cavaliers who dedicated their time and talents to give back to the community.
